Housing Authority unanimously backs no smoking policy

FAIRHAVEN — The Housing Authority will enforce a no smoking policy beginning January 2014, with the details to be worked out before then.

The board voted unanimously Jan. 10 to adopt a smoking ban in the apartments it oversees. There is already a smoking ban in common areas.

Chairman Jay Simmons said one of the issues to be resolved is, "Do we want to grandfather the existing people?"

That would mean the ban would only apply to new tenants after January next year. Anyone living in a Housing Authority unit who smokes now would be exempted.

But others on the board seemed to be leaning toward full enforcement.

When up to three years' notice was mentioned as an option, Anne Silveira said, "I think we should move and move quickly on this. Don't take three years to study" it, she said, like Boston. "We've been six months talking."

Mr. Simmons said giving a year's notice would give the Housing Authority time to work out the details of a policy. He said it also gives people on the waiting list a chance to find another place if they want to be able to smoke.

But Mr. Simmons said, "It's also an addiction, a lifestyle. By giving people time, it gives them time to adjust."

Elaine Rocha said of the residents, "They've known for months that we were considering this."

Unlike a previous meeting attended by many residents, no residents attended this meeting except for Jimmie Oliver, who is on the board.

Mr. Simmons pointed this out, saying, "It's interesting that no one came."

"I think as a board we're trying to be as fair as possible without sneaking something up on them," he said. He said people generally resist change.

Executive Director Krisanne Sheedy said a second survey they conducted had the same ratio as an earlier one, with two-thirds fine with a ban and one third opposed.

The Housing Authority oversees 284 apartments in Fairhaven. They include 92 units at Green Meadows, 108 at Oxford Terrace, 55 at Dana Court, 24 at Anthony Haven and six units of family housing on Ash Street.